United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1978
Declares it the sense of the Senate that (1) the President recognize the severity of the international monetary crisis; (2) the President undertake discussions with the other industrialized countries to develop a common approach to this crisis; and (3) the approach should focus on a long-term solution to the crisis caused by exclusive reliance on the dollar as the key international monetary reserve asset.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1978
Declares it the sense of the Senate that the President undertake discussions with the other industrialized countries with a view toward establishing, in cooperation with the member countries of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) which are in current account surplus, a major capital pool for productive investment in the developing countries.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1978
Truck Safety Act - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to protect the public from the hazards of unsafe commercial motor vehicle operations, to provide drivers of commercial vehicles with safe and healthy working conditions, and to insure prompt and continuous compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this Act. Stipulates that this Act shall apply to all commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating). Requires employers to provide their employees with safe vehicles and working conditions which are free from recognized hazards. Requires employers and employees to comply with the safety and health standards, and rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish and maintain safety rules and regulations regarding: (1) safety maintenance of vehicles covered by this Act; (2) the hours of duty of drivers; and (3) the health and physical condition of drivers. Directs the Secretary to regulate the working conditions and operating practices of employees to assure that no employee will suffer injury or material impairment of health or functional capacity due to exposure to such working conditions. Requires the Secretary to conduct the research necessary to develop safety rules and regulations, to design and develop improved enforcement procedures and technologies, and to familiarize all affected persons with such rules and regulations. Authorizes the Secretary to require persons subject to this Act to keep such records and make such reports as are necessary to insure compliance with this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct investigations and inspections to carry out this Act. Stipulates that wherever practicable such investigations and inspections should be conducted without advance notice. Stipulates that, whenever an individual files a written complaint with the Secretary alleging health or safety violations, the Secretary shall respond in a timely fashion, or if reasonable grounds exist as to the existence of the violation the Secretary shall conduct an investigation as soon as practicable. Prohibits the Secretary from disclosing the name of a complainant unless necessary to prosecute a violation. Requires the Secretary, if disclosure becomes necessary, to take steps to protect the complainant. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for health and safety violations. Stipulates that, where a violator contests a citation or order issued pursuant to this Act, the National Transportation Safety Board shall afford the individual an opportunity for a hearing. Makes orders of the Board reviewable by the appropriate United States court of appeals. Authorizes the Secretary to obtain enforcement of uncontested citations or orders through the appropriate United States district court. Prohibits discrimination against employees who complain of violations of health or safety regulations or who participate in proceedings pursuant to this Act. Prohibits discrimination against employees who refuse to operate equipment subject to motor carrier safety regulations in violation of hours of service regulations or because of the employee's reasonable apprehension of serious injury due to the unsafe condition of such equipment. Authorizes States to enforce the regulations promulgated under this Act if the State submits an enforcement plan which is approved by the Secretary. Sets forth provisions which must be included in any such plan. Requires the Secretary to continually evaluate the manner in which a State is carrying out such a plan. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund in specified amounts to provide incentive assistance to States to develop and institute enforcement plans. Requires the Secretary to annually report to Congress regarding the Secretary's efforts during the preceding year, and current plans to increase motor vehicle and driver safety. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as Congress deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act for each fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1978
Lobbying Reform Act - Requires annual registration of any organization which expends at least $1,250 per calendar quarter for lobbying purposes, employs any person as a lobbyist for 24 hours or more per quarterly filing period, or two or more such persons for at least 12 hours each per such period, or which expends in excess of $5,000 per quarter to engage any other person as a lobbyist. Requires such organizations to file quarterly lobbying reports disclosing the identity of paid lobbyists, amounts paid to such lobbyists, and the issues such lobbyists sought to influence during the quarter. Requires the annual registration of organizations acting through their own paid officers or employees engaging in 15 or more oral lobbying communications in any quarterly filing period. Permits the filing of abbreviated quarterly filing reports for organizations required to file solely because of the number of oral lobbying communications made by their own personnel. Requires organizations which have submitted any bid or proposal for any Government contract valued at $10,000,000 or more to file annual reports until such contract or grant is awarded disclosing any attempts such organization has made to influence such award. Specifies the required contents of such reports including: (1) identity of any employee seeking to influence such award who, during the past five years, was a Federal employee of the agency responsible for the award who was paid in excess of the highest rate specified for pay grades GS-11, O-4, or W-2, as the case may be; (2) specified gifts made to Federal officers or employees in excess of $35; and (3) an itemized listing of each expenditure for any reception, dinner, or similar event where the total cost of such event exceeds $500. Specifies recordkeeping and report preparation requirements for any organization required to file under this Act. Requires the Comptroller General, with whom such registrations and reports must be filed, to investigate possible violations of this Act and to establish cross-indexing systems to reveal the identity of individuals employed as lobbyists by more than one organization, and to establish similar cross-indexing systems with the Federal Election Commission and the Department of Justice to identify persons mentioned in reports filed under this Act and the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 or the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Directs the Comptroller General to make available to the public copies of reports filed under this Act and summaries of data in such reports. Forbids the use of information secured under this Act for commercial purposes. Imposes upon the Comptroller General the duty to render advisory opinions with respect to the requirements of this Act upon which seekers of such opinions may justifiably rely. Directs the Comptroller General to refer to the Attorney General any actions or omissions which it is believed constitute violations of this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General to institute civil actions where appropriate and requires the prosecution of criminal actions where appropriate. Imposes civil and criminal sanctions for the violation of this Act. Repeals the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a surviving spouse to treat as furnished consideration, for estate tax purposes, up to a 50 percent share of any joint farm or small business property which was unpaid for at the time of marriage, determined at the rate of two percent a year if such spouse actually participates in the operation of such farm or small business.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1978
Amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to expand the liability of the United States to include liability for any tort arising under the Constitution or Federal law, including those involving discretionary acts, and for any intentional tort committed by a Federal employee acting within the scope of employment or under color thereof. Sets forth guidelines for damages and alternative remedies in such actions. Requires that agencies pay awards arising from employee torts out of agency appropriations. Grants the United States a right to seek indemnity against an employee for whose tort it has been found liable.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1978
Lee Metcalf Fair Employment Relations Resolution - Title I: Fair Employment Relations Board - Establishes as an office of the Senate, the Senate Fair Employment Relations Board to (1) establish and publish policies and guidelines for the implementation and enforcement of rule L of the Standing Rules of the Senate, (2) supervise the actions of the Director and the operations of the Senate Fair Employment Relations Office, and (3) hear and determine complaints. Title II: Senate Fair Employment Relations Office - Establishes as an office of the Senate, the Senate Fair Employment Relations Office which shall develop procedures to implement the policies of the Board, gather information relating to Senate employment practices, and review procedures for the hearing and settling of complaints. Title III: Complaints of Violations of Equal Employment Opportunity - Provides for counseling and assistance through the office, to any individual who believes that he or she has been discriminated against in violation of rule L. Sets forth the procedure for filing informal complaints based on employment discrimination, and for the informal settlement of such claims. Sets forth the procedure for filing formal complaints, and for conducting hearings on such claims. Provides for an appeal to the Senate Select Committee on Ethics from an adverse decision or order of the Board. Sets forth remedies available to individuals who have been discriminated against in violation of rule L.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1978
Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to create a position for an officer whose sole duty shall be to promote the export of goods and services related to solar power and other nonnuclear renewable energy resources. Requires the Export-Import Bank to include the views of such officer in specified reports to Congress. Directs that such reports describe specific actions taken to encourage solar power and nonnuclear renewable energy use in developing countries.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce corporation tax rates by establishing a graduated scale ranging from a minimum of 18 percent for taxable income under $25,000 up to $64,500 plus 46 percent (diminished over five years to 42 percent) for income over $200,000.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase from 20 percent to 40 percent the permissable variance from the useful life of property established by the Secretary of the Treasury for depreciation purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the personal exemption, the zero bracket amount, the general tax credit, and the earned income credit. Sets forth new tax tables with lower rates.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1978
Bilingual Education Act Amendments - Revises the Bilingual Education Act to extend the general authorization for appropriations under such Act to 1981. Stipulates that grants for assistance to bilingual education programs will be available for fiscal years 1979, 1980, and 1981. Revises application requirements for such grants, including provisions regarding an evaluation plan and bilingual personnel recruitment. Provides special provisions for Puerto Rico regarding use and distribution of funds under such Act. Directs the Commissioner of Education to conduct a study on the need for compensatory English proficiency programs in Puerto Rico. Revises specified bilingual education training provisions under such Act. Extends indefinitely the Commissioner of Education's authority to award fellowships for bilingual teachers training. Directs the Commissioner to undertake an ongoing study of the impact of such fellowships on the field of bilingual education. Revises the definition of "eligible applicant" for purposes of such training grants. Requires an individual receiving such assistance to work in a bilingual education related activity for a period equivalent to the period such assistance was received. Establishes within the Office of Education in place of the existing Office of Bilingual Education a Bureau of Bilingual Education to be headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Bilingual Education. Revises the composition of the National Advisory Council on Bilingual Education, including a requirement that at least two parents of children whose language proficiency is other than English be included in such Council. Extends authorizations for research and demonstration projects under such Act to fiscal year 1981. Provides for a program of grants for fiscal years 1982 and 1983 to States for bilingual education. Provides guidelines for State applications for such bilingual education grants, including a two year comprehensive program plan and a matching funds requirement. Amends the Emergency School Aid Act to revise certain appropriations allocations and application requirements regarding (1) educational television; (2) special projects; and (3) evaluations of specific projects assisted under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the investment credit from 10 to 12 percent (and from 11 to 13 percent for the additional credit), to remove the January 1, 1981, termination date, and to make such credit permanent. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay each State, political subdivision thereof, and each tax-exempt organization investing in certain depreciable property a sum equal to 25 percent of the amount of the investment credit such tax-exempt entity would be allowed if liable for tax. Allows for years between December 31, 1978, and January 1, 1984, an investment credit for certain depreciable property including buildings and their structural components if such property is placed in service in a high-unemployment area.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual a credit against the individual income tax equal to ten percent of any social security taxes paid by that individual during the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Renegotiation Abeyance Act - Amends the Renegotiation Act of 1951 to suspend the provisions of such Act after the Renegotiation Board has completed all matters pending before it.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Renegotiation Exemption Act - Amends the Renegotiation Act of 1951 to provide that contractors and subcontractors whose aggregate renegotiable sales do not exceed $5,000,000 (presently $1,000,000) are exempt from renegotiation. Makes such exemption applicable to agents for sales not exceeding $50,000 (presently $25,000).
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
PCP Criminal Laws and Procedures Act - Sets forth penalties for the manufacture, distribution, or possession with intent to manufacture or distribute phencyclidine (PCP) and its salts. Requires, with respect to each transfer of piperidine, that the seller report certain information about the buyer to the Attorney General and that the buyer present positive identification. Requires importers to report each shipment of piperidine received. Specifies guidelines for searches of sellers' premises. Prescribes and sets forth penalties for certain other piperidine-related transactions including sales to minors, or sales to or by fugitives or mental defectives, and commerce in stolen piperidine.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Condemns recent terrorism in Egypt, Israel, and Jordan. Extends Congressional condolences to victims of these attacks. Declares that the President should (1) intensify efforts of the executive branch to counter international terrorism, (2) report to Congress on the implementation of laws regarding terrorism; (3) report to Congress on the activities of the Palestine Liberation Organization office in New York; and (4) report to specified Congressional committees the names of nations which furnish assistance to such Organization.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1978
Directs the Office of Technology Assessment to study energy strategies and to transmit a final report to Congress of such study within 18 months of the passage of this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Solar Global Marketing Survey Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, to conduct a global market survey to determine which foreign countries might serve as markets for solar energy equipment manufactured in the United States. Requires such survey be completed by September 1, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Small Scale Energy Technology Programs Reorganization Act - Defines "small scale technology" to include but not be limited to energy and nonenergy technologies and systems which provide energy or other services to individual or small groups of end users, which minimize environmental impacts. Establishes within the Department of Energy an Office of Small Scale Technology. Requires the Director of such Office to: (1) make grants to small businesses for small scale technology; (2) act to inform small businesses about opportunities for participation in the programs of the Office; (3) evaluate and certify the performance of equipment and demonstration models of grantees; (4) supervise the activities of the National Center for Appropriate Technology; and (5) coordinate Office activities with related activities of other Federal, State, and local agencies. Directs the Office to enter into contractual or other arrangements with the National Center for Appropriate Technology or other groups with similar experience and expertise to perform research and development programs and demonstration projects concerning weatherization oriented small scale technology and to provide grants and other assistance. Transfers all functions of the Energy Related Inventions Program of the National Bureau of Standards and all functions of such Program located within the Department of Energy to the Office. Establishes an Interagency Council on Appropriate Technology as an independent instrumentality of the United States in the Executive branch. Requires the Council to coordinate all small scale technology programs of the Federal Government.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Directs the Architect of the Capitol to study the feasibility of using solar energy for heating the hot water in the Phillip A. Hart Office Building now under construction. Directs the Architect to make cost comparisons between solar and conventional energy systems over specified periods of time and report such findings to the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1978
Civil Service Reform Act - Title I: Merit System Principles - Enumerates the principles of the merit system in the Federal work force. Prohibits the taking of personnel actions to discriminate against a Federal employee on such bases as race, religion, sex, age, or handicapping condition. Prohibits, generally, taking or influencing personnel actions for political or other nonmerit reasons. Title II: Civil Service Functions; Performance Appraisal; Adverse Actions - Abolishes the Civil Service Commission. Establishes within the Executive Branch the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to which the President is authorized to delegate authority for personnel management functions, and which, in turn, is authorized to delegate such authority to the heads of Federal agencies. Establishes the Merit Systems Protection Board made up of members appointed to seven-year terms who may be removed only for cause (as contrasted with the present Civil Service Commissioners who serve at the will of the President). Grants to the Board the power to subpena witnesses and evidence. Authorizes the Special Counsel of the Board to investigate complaints concerning personnel practices which violate this Act. Authorizes the Board to discipline violators by requiring removal, demotion, suspension, a fine up to $1,000, or by issuing a reprimand or barring the violator from Federal employment for up to five years. Authorizes the Special Counsel to investigate incidents of reprisal against employees who have lawfully disclosed agency violations of laws. Establishes new procedures for the appraisal of the performance of employees covered by this Act. Entitles any employee to 30 days' notice, a hearing attended by counsel, and a written decision if he is to be removed, or have his grade reduced, or pay a specified amount. Permits specified adverse personnel actions to be appealed to the Board. Requires appeals from Board decisions to be taken to the Court of Claims or a United States court of appeals. Requires such courts to sustain the Board's decision if supported by substantial evidence. Title III: Staffing - Authorizes agencies to accept voluntary uncompensated service by a student who does not displace a Federal employee. Authorizes agencies to make noncompetitive appointments of any disabled veteran with a 50 percent or more disability or who is enrolled in or has completed a course of job related training prescribed by the Veterans' Administration. Limits the veterans' preference for employment to a maximum of ten years following military separation for nonretirees and to a maximum of three years for persons who retired from the military below the rank of major or lieutenant commander. Provides for no such preference for persons retiring at or above such rank. Changes the nature of the preference in connection with a Federal reduction-in-force. Authorizes specified employees to retire before they are affected by a major reorganization. Authorizes agencies to retrain for positions in other agencies those employees whose positions are eliminated by a reduction-in-force. Title IV: Senior Executive Service - Establishes a Senior Executive Service which includes government managers classified above GS-15 and below Executive Level III who are not Presidential appointees and Foreign Service Officers of equivalent rank, provided such managers supervise employees or are responsible for the success of programs. Permits the transfer of a career Senior Executive to any Government agency. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to encourage Senior Executives to improve their skills by serving in a variety of agencies and by accepting placements in State or local governments or in the private sector. Authorizes agencies to grant such persons a sabbatical period of up to 11 months to be taken not more than once in any ten-year period to study or engage in uncompensated work experience. Provides for the periodic appraisal of Senior Executives. Authorizes the removal of career Executives for any reason during the first year of appointment as a Senior Executive and for less than fully successful managerial performance or misconduct anytime thereafter. Grants persons removed for reasons other than misconduct to be appointed to a Federal position outside the Service. Requires a Senior Executive to serve at the pleasure of the appointing agency and states that removal from the Senior Executive Service for less than fully successful performance does not constitute a disciplinary action and is, therefore, not appealable. Authorizes the Office of Personnel Management to name no more than 15 percent of active duty members of the Service to the rank of Meritorious Executive and not more than one percent of such persons to the rank of Distinguished Executive. Entitles persons receiving the Meritorious rank to a five-year stipend of $2,500 per year and persons receiving the Distinguished rank to a five-year stipend of $5,000 per year in addition to their normal salary. Authorizes the appointing agency to establish the pay rate for each member of the Service in such agency at a rate not to exceed a specified maximum. Authorizes each agency to pay a lump-sum performance award to not more than half of all Senior Executives employed by such agency of an amount not exceeding 20 percent of such Executive's annual salary. Entitles persons serving presently in positions to be designated as Senior Executive Service positions when this Act becomes effective to choose to convert to a Senior Executive Service appointment or remain in such position under the current pay system. Title V: Merit Pay - Requires the OPM to establish a merit pay system applicable to all managerial or supervisory persons related at grades GS-13 through GS-15. Limits the pay for such grades to the minimum and maximum rates for each such grade. Requires the OPM to determine the extent to which the annual pay adjustments for other civil service employees shall be permitted for employees in the merit pay system. Makes sums attributable to the difference between such allotted adjustments and the increases in pay which would have been allowed had such employees been entitled to the entire adjustment permitted other civil servants to be made available to the agencies for merit pay raises. States that the award of such merit pay raises may be made on the basis of individual as well as organizational performance. Authorizes agency heads and the President to make cash awards to such employees of up to $25,000 for contributions to the efficiency of Government Operations. Title VI: Research, Demonstration, and Other Programs - Requires the OPM to establish and maintain research and development projects concerning Federal personnel management. Authorizes the OPM to conduct and evaluate demonstration projects relating to personnel management issues such as recruitment, promotion, and employee discipline pursuant to a plan which is agreeable to the agency involved in such project. Requires such plan to be published in the Federal Register and submitted to a public hearing. Limits the size of such demonstration project to the involvement of not more than 5,000 employees. Limits the life of such a project to not more than five years. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Makes technical and conforming amendments. States that the powers of the President not expressly limited by this Act shall remain unaffected by the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 1978
Declares the sense of the Congress that the President and the Secretary of State should take all necessary steps to bring the Baltic States question before the United Nations and to urge the United Nations to request the Soviet Union to withdraw all non-native troops, agents, colonists, and controls from the Republics of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, and to return all Baltic exiles from Siberia and from prisons and labor camps in the Soviet Union. Requires the Secretary of State to do his utmost to bring the matter of the Baltic States to the attention of all nations by means of special radio programs and publications. Declares that the United States should not agree to the recognition of the Soviet Union's annexation of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Directs the President to take steps to provide that all maps of Europe show the Republics of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia as independent states. Calls for a return of self-determination to the peoples of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia through free elections conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1978
Older Americans Amendments - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to make the Commissioner on Aging directly responsible to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Abolishes the Federal Council on the Aging. Directs the Commissioner on Aging to continually review all requests for information under this Act and to take such action as necessary to reduce paperwork. States that the program of grants to States and communities for programs on aging should encourage and assist the development of multipurpose senior centers which shall serve as focal points for the delivery of services, including health, social, educational, and nutritional services, and recreation facilities. Includes in the definition of social services, provided by State and local agencies, health screening and preretirement and second career counseling. Extends the authorizations of appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for grants to area planning and social service programs for the aged. Extends for each of the four succeeding fiscal years allotments to States for such programs. Encourages States to include, if feasible, all portions of an Indian reservation within a single planning, and service area for services to the aged. Requires each State to provide, in its plan for services to the aged, for the acquisition, alteration, or renovation of existing facilities to serve as multipurpose senior centers. Requires a State, in order to be eligible for grants, under the Act, to submit to the Commissioner on Aging a State plan for a three-year period. Authorizes appropriations for four succeeding years after fiscal year 1977 for model projects which will expand or improve social services to older persons. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to State agencies for model projects designed to insure: (1) that long-term care needs of individual elderly persons are identified; (2) that such persons are referred to appropriate community-based and institutional services for such care; and (3) that the continued appropriateness of such services be tested through follow-up services and evaluation. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for such projects. Authorizes the Secretary to insure any mortgage for a multipurpose senior center in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Act. Creates a Multipurpose Senior Center Insurance Fund to be used by the Secretary as a revolving fund for carrying out all insurance provisions with respect to such mortgages. Authorizes the Secretary to make annual interest grants to assist nonprofit private agencies in reducing the cost of borrowing from other sources for the acquisition, alteration, or renovation of facilities for multipurpose senior centers. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the four fiscal years following 1977 for training, research, and secretarial programs for personnel in the field of aging. Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to establish the National Older American Volunteer Programs. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to State agencies or grants to or contracts with other public and nonprofit private agencies and organizations to establish volunteer service programs to help retired persons avail themselves of opportunities for volunteer service in their community. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants or contracts with public and nonprofit private agencies and organizations to finance projects designed for the purpose of providing opportunities for low-income persons aged 60 or over to provide supportive person-to-person services in health, education, welfare, and related settings to children having exceptional needs, including services by individuals serving as "foster grandparents" to children receiving care in hospitals, homes for dependent and neglected children, or other establishments providing care for children with special needs. Directs the Commissioner to coordinate the volunteer programs with other relevant programs at the State and local levels. Requires the Commissioner to insure that special efforts are made to have qualified individuals over 60 from minority groups serve as volunteers. Extends the authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for nutrition programs for the elderly. Authorizes the Commissioner, under the Act, to make grants to eligible tribal organizations, as defined in this Act, to pay all of the costs for the delivery of social and nutritional services for Indians who are age 60 and over. Sets forth criteria for applications for such grants. Authorizes the Commissioner to delegate to the Secretary of the Interior or to the head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs any functions under this title. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make available surplus Indian educational facilities for use as multipurpose senior centers. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the program through fiscal year 1981. Directs the Commissioner to prepare a White House Conference on Aging. Establishes a National Planning and Advisory Council to provide guidance and counseling for the White House Conference on Aging.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1978
Genetic Disease Amendments - Title I: Revision and Extension of Genetic Diseases - Amends the National Sickle Cell Anemia, Cooley's Anemia, Tay-Sachs, and Genetic Diseases Act to include genetic conditions, as well as genetic diseases, within the program of research, counseling, and education established by such Act. Extends the authorization of appropriations for such program for three fiscal years, through 1981. Title II: National Commission Amendment - Directs the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research to conduct a study of the ethical, social, and legal implications of voluntary testing, counseling, and information and education programs with respect to genetic diseases and conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1978
National Home Delivered Meals Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to establish a nutrition project for the elderly which, five or more days per week, provides at least one home-delivered hot meal which assures a minimum of one-third the daily recommended dietary allowances. Requires the State agencies administering the grant programs under which such nutrition projects are established to give preference in designating projects and awarding contracts or subcontracts, to the extent feasible, to existing meals-on-wheels projects. Directs the Commissioner on Aging to conduct a study of the effectiveness of the national home-delivered meals program. Directs the Commissioner to conduct a demonstration project involving at least three States to determine the feasibility of using shelf-stable and/or frozen meal systems for the elderly as a component or as a substitute in emergencies for regular nutrition projects assisted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to enter into a contract with each State for payment of 100 percent of the costs of repairing highways and surface rails of urban mass transportation systems (other than railroads) which were damaged as a result of the winter weather of 1977-1978. Authorizes appropriations of $250,000,000 out of the Highway Trust Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the full investment credit amount, rather than the current limit of 50 percent, to be claimed for pollution control facilities for which rapid amortization has been elected.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1978
Regulatory Procedures Reform Act - Title I: Planning and Management - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to establish a single GS-18-level office in each agency to plan and manage the agency's regulatory activities. Requires such office to: (1) adopt deadlines and track the process of regulatory proceedings; (2) establish priorities; (3) improve administrative procedure; (4) periodically review agency regulations and identify those which are inconsistent or no longer necessary; and (5) report annually to Congress on the extent to which the agency has met the deadlines it has set for itself pursuant to this Act for the resolution of matters before it and on the priorities of such agency. Title II: Administrative Procedures - Requires persons initiating any matter before an agency to submit in writing all the facts and arguments upon which such person proposes to reply. Requires each agency considering a matter subject to this Act to conduct an informal hearing at the conclusion of which the presiding employee shall designate any disputed question of fact or remaining question of law for resolution in an adjudicative hearing but only if he determines that such a matter can only be resolved with sufficient accuracy in such an adjudicative hearing. Establishes civil penalties for failure to comply with an agency subpena. Requires each agency to maintain public files of significant agency actions along with copies of the briefs and arguments submitted with respect to such actions. Authorizes the establishment of employee boards to review decisions of presiding employees. Permits such review only when the agency issues a public finding which specifies the particular issues to be reviewed. Title III: Administrative Law Judges - Changes references to "hearing examiners" in the Act to "administrative law judges." Establishes procedures for appointing persons as administrative law judges. Title IV: General Provisions - Establishes the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1978
Foreign Mission Solar Energy Demonstration Act - Requires the Secretary of State to demonstrate solar energy and other renewable energy technologies by using such energy sources in Foreign Service buildings located abroad. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Energy concerning the most viable techniques adaptable to the local resources and environmental conditions of the host country. Requires the Secretary of State to insure that projects under this Act are demonstrated to, and are available for inspection by, officials and other citizens of the host country. Directs the Secretary to give priority to projects in less developed countries.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals, who are participants in a retirement plan, an income tax deduction for contributions to an individual retirement (IRA) account. Limits such deduction to the amount allowed individuals for contributions to IRA accounts, reduced by the amounts contributed by or on behalf of the individual to the plan in which he is a participant.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1978
Nurse Training Amendments - Amends Title VIII (Nurse Training) of the Public Health Service Act to extend for two fiscal years, through fiscal year 1980, the program of financial assistance for nurse training.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1978
National Alcohol Fuels Commission Act - Establishes the National Alcohol Fuels Commission to study the use of alcohol as an alternative fuel source. Charges the Commission with the duty to study the short and long-term potential of alcohol fuels derived from plant, animal and industrial sources and wastes, and from coal. Directs the Commission to study alternative feedstocks and desirability of converting present feedstocks into alcohol fuels. Requires the Commission to identify and study technical, economic, legal, environmental and social factors involved with the production, manufacture, distribution and use of alcohol fuels. Directs relevant Federal agencies to appoint a liaison officer and to cooperate closely with the Commission. Requires the Committee to file a final report with the President and the Congress no later than December 31, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1978
Psychotropic Substances Act - Amends the Controlled Substances Act, the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Public Health Service Act to meet obligations under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an employee, amounts paid or expenses incurred by the employer for educational assistance to the employee. Limits to 25 percent the amount of payments which may be made by such programs to shareholders or owners (or their spouses or dependents), each of whom owns more than five percent of the stock or of the capital or profits interest in the employer.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Authorizes a $543,000,000 appropriation for reimbursing States for expenditures made with respect to services provided by such States under specified titles of the Social Security Act. Sets forth procedures and time limitations for making claims for reimbursement and maximums amounts which a State may receive for providing services under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that the United States should encourage the United Nations to hold a World Alternate Energy Conference to consider alternate ways to meet the world's energy needs and to establish an International Alternate Energy Commission to encourage worldwide use of alternate energy sources.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1977
Securities Protection Act - Makes it a Federal crime: (1) to forge, alter, or counterfeit a marketable security with intent to defraud, (2) to possess or engage in commerce in a forged, altered, or counterfeit security with intent to defraud, or (3) to possess or engage in commerce in any tool to forge, alter, or counterfeit any marketable security. Authorizes treble damage civil suits with respect to such violations. Makes it a Federal crime to steal or possess a stolen marketable security or to use a stolen, forged, or altered security at a financial institution.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1977
Elevates from level III to level II of the Executive Schedule the chairmen of the following agencies: Civil Aeronautics Board; Federal Trade Commission; Federal Communications Commission; Interstate Commerce Commission; National Labor Relations Board; Securities and Exchange Commission; Federal Maritime Commission; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Consumer Product Safety Commission; and Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Elevates from level IV of the Executive Schedule to level III the positions of the Members of each such body.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1977
Trade Procedures Reform Act - Amends the Antidumping Act of 1921 to require conditional payment of antidumping duty upon entry of imported articles. Permits "across-the-board" appraisal of the value of such articles. Eliminates the requirement that the Secretary of the Treasury, upon an interim finding that certain imports are unlikely to injure United States industries, refer the case to the International Trade Commission for investigation. Permits simultaneous investigation by the Secretary and the ITC. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to permit Congressional disapproval of the President's determination to reduce import relief. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 with respect to procedures for relief from unfair trade practices through complaint to the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require the Secretary of the Treasury to initiate investigations within 30 days with respect to the existence of violations of such Act which require the imposition of countervailing duties (subsidy of imported products by foreign governments).
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1977
Denounces South Africa for the death of Steve Biko and for certain repressive measures against the opponents of apartheid, including closing of newspapers and other restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Omnibus Antiterrorism Act - Title I: Reorganization of Executive Office of the President - Establishes a Council to Combat Terrorism in the Executive Office of the President. Includes among the Council's functions (1) assisting the President to implement this Act, (2) assisting in the preparation of lists of countries aiding terrorist enterprises and of dangerous foreign airports, and (3) coordinating Federal efforts to combat terrorism. Directs the President to: (1) report to Congress on each act of terrorism which involves or affects United States citizens; and (2) impose sanctions against countries on the list of countries aiding terrorists and against airports on the list of dangerous foreign airports. Title II: Reorganization of the Department of State - Establishes a Bureau for Combating International Terrorism in the Department of State. Urges the President to seek international agreements which assure cooperation in combating terrorism. Lists provisions which should be given priority in negotiating such agreements. Requires the President to: (1) develop programs to insure full implementation of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation; (2) approve all defense article sales and credits made to any individual or group; and (3) include the names of all types of explosives on the United States Munitions List. Title III: Reorganization of the Department of Justice - Establishes an Office for Combating Terrorism in the Department of Justice. Directs the President to extend existing safety and security requirements to supplemental means of air transportation. Requires that all explosives contain identification and detection taggants. Title IV: Aircraft Sabotage and Piracy - Amends provisions of title 18, U.S. Code, that specify prohibited acts regarding the destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities to, among other revisions, set forth penalties for committing violence against a passenger which is likely to endanger an aircraft in service and for communicating false information which results in endangering the safety of an aircraft in flight. Sets forth penalties for a person found in the United States who has committed against or aboard a foreign aircraft an offense in violation of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation. Authorizes civil penalties for carrying an accessible weapon aboard an aircraft and for imparting or conveying information known to be false regarding one of specified crimes aboard an aircraft. Specifies minimum penalties for threatening to commit air piracy or any other of certain crimes aboard an aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development should not implement the proposed reorganization of the field and insuring offices of the Department of Housing and Urban Development prior to the time when the appropriate committees of the Congress have had an opportunity to hold hearings on such reorganization.
![Official portrait of Sen. Percy, Charles H. [R-IL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000222_200.jpg)